Drug Abuse Counseling – JoAnna McTevia – Thornton, CO

Drug abuse counseling with JoAnna McTevia in Thornton, CO can provide you with the insight and coping skills you need to prevent relapse.

Is Drug Addiction Destroying Your Life?

Has you substance use turned into abuse or spiraled out of control? Perhaps what started as a prescription to manage pain or aid attention has turned in an opiate or amphetamine dependence. Or, maybe casual or social use of marijuana, ecstasy or cocaine has crossed the line into a damaging daily routine. Maybe you’ve suffered consequences related to your substance abuse, such as a DUI, incarceration or losing your job. Have you been concealing your use from everyone around you, and harbor a fear of being found out? Or, perhaps your friends, family members, partner or spouse already know, and you sense you’ve lost their trust and respect. Has your physical health or emotional wellbeing taken a downturn, leaving you feeling persistently anxious or depressed and plotting how you’ll attain drugs and use again? Perhaps you recently went through a substance abuse program, but you’re using again, or worried that you might. Do you wish you could better understand your impulse to use drugs and become better equipped to manage your life?

Living with a marijuana, opiate, heroine, amphetamine, methadone, sedative or another drug dependence can be a troubling experience that can wreak havoc on every part of your life. Drug addiction can have a detrimental effect on your physical and emotional health, as well as your capacity to maintain healthy relationships or steady employment. Maybe you want to stop or limit your use but don’t feel like you can because of social pressures. Or, maybe drugs seem to be the only things that soothe heavy feelings of anxiety or depression. You may even feel unable to imagine another way to feel relaxed or at peace with yourself.

Many People Struggle With Drug Addiction

If you are struggling with a drug addiction or withdrawal, you are not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heroin use has more than doubled over the past decade. It’s estimated that, in the US alone, more than 15 million people suffer from opioid dependence. Opiates are the go-to prescription for pain management. The rising number of rehab patients, ER visits and drug related deaths here in Colorado indicate that our state is no exception to this rising epidemic.

Marijuana is also legal in the state of Colorado, making it readily available and leading many to wonder, “Is marijuana addictive?” Just like any drug use, marijuana use becomes a problem when the habit causes persistent conflict and difficulties in your life and you feel unable to control urges. Although using THC, cocaine or other drugs may feel like aids to relaxation or recreation, they are only a temporary fix that often cause more damage than they prevent. If you begin each day feeling irritable or sick and dedicate your energy to planning how you’ll attain or use drugs, drug addiction counseling can help you identify and work through underlying issues that drive your use. With the guidance of a certified substance abuse counselor, you can attain the tools you need maintain balance.

Drug Abuse Counseling Can Help You Heal And Maintain Balanced Living

Drug addiction counseling can be very effective in addressing underlying mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, family issues or past traumas that often drive a substance abuse problem. In a safe, non-judgmental environment, you can openly express your needs and desires and receive careful, compassionate and objective feedback from a professional who understands what you’re going through.

Together, we can work to uncover the root causes that are limiting your life. Perhaps you’re already aware of some deep-seeded issues, such as a family history of alcoholism or drug abuse or your own experiences of anxiety, depression or trauma. As we discover the elements that cause and sustain your drug use, I will provide you with new, healthy coping strategies – such as mindfulness, breathing and muscle relaxing exercises – that allow you to effectively manage and overcome troubling thoughts, emotions and body sensations.

Because of the physiological component of drug addiction, counseling is generally not the end- all, be-all of recovery. If need be, I am available to work with a rehab program, your primary care physician, your psychiatrist etc. to provide you with the best resources and most complete support possible throughout this process. The more support you have, the more likely you are to stand by your choice to make positive changes. In therapy you will not only learn to recognize and cope with the emotional and physical triggers of drug use, but also set healthy boundaries, create and maintain healthy relationships and alleviate heavy feelings of guilt, shame and isolation that often accompany addiction. With help and support, you can become more resilient to cravings and move forward with more freedom, ease, compassion, trust, balance and purpose in your life.

You may still have some questions or concerns about drug counseling…

Using drugs is a part of who I am. I’m afraid of my whole life changing.

It’s really common for people with severe addictions to form an identity around drug use. Use often involves a sense of ritual or routine can become familiar and comforting. Physiologically, drug use can set off the same dopamine receptors that are triggered when one experiences love or care. So, in a sense, you are ending a long-term attachment with something that has temporarily provided you a sense belonging and purpose.

Discovering the reasons that have led to your use and healing any depression, anxiety, unresolved traumas or family issues can help move on and live a new, more empowered and balanced life. Recovery is not possible without starting anew, which is why sobriety is not easy. You may have to learn to trust and establish healthy relationships. Or, you may have to confront challenging events from your past. Regardless of the specifics, in a non-judgmental space, we can collaboratively develop a tailor-made treatment plan that works specifically with your personality, wants, needs and comfort level. With proper support, profound and lasting positive changes are possible. You don’t have continue feeling out of control or defining yourself by addiction.

I want to do this on my own. I don’t feel comfortable talking to a stranger about my drug habit.

Confidentiality is very important to my practice. So, you can rest assured that what you say in the therapy room stays in the therapy room. Additionally, I’m not here to judge. I’m here to help you understand some of the root-causes of your addictive behavior and acquire skills that empower you to have more control over cravings and make positive lifestyle changes.

If you could stop or limit your use on your own, you likely would have by now. There is no harm or shame in reaching out for addiction help when you need it. In fact, studies show that the more support you have throughout treatment, the more likely you are to fully recover. I am a licensed addiction counselor trained in a variety of effective modalities. I am confident that, together, we can develop a treatment plan that works well for you.

I am worried about the cost of drug and alcohol abuse counseling.

Please don’t let cost get in the way of living a full, healthy life. The cost of continued use, including the price of drugs, losing your job, losing your important relationships and possibly losing your life, are much higher than the cost of relapse prevention counseling. If you’re worried about the price of therapy, I invite you to call me to discuss your options.

Recovery Is Possible

If you are ready to learn more about drug abuse counseling, or if you have any questions or concerns about therapy and my practice, please call or email me to schedule a free 30-minute phone consultation.

I am available to conduct drug and alcohol evaluations for court mandates clients and I also provide group therapy for relapse prevention.

If you or a loved one suffered a severe head injury and are now battling with irritability or anger issues, you’re not alone. It’s common for survivors of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) to have trouble controlling their emotions. It's most difficult in the weeks and months immediately following the injury.